Johnstown man held for trial for raping girl

By Linda Metz

Staff Writer

Pulgar

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Bond for a Johnstown man accused of threatening and then raping a 16-year-old girl was doubled Wednesday after it was learned the man has a history of sexually oriented crimes, some of which he committed while wearing women’s clothing.

“He has a long history of sexual inappropriate and criminal conduct,” said Washington County Assistant District Attorney Traci McDonald about Victor Eugene Pulgar, 32, who is accused of having contact with the girl from May through July, when he allegedly raped her at ballfields in Elco.

Pulgar appeared in Central Court on Wednesday for a preliminary hearing on charges of rape, sexual assault, sexual abuse of children, unlawful contact with a minor, corruption of minors, criminal use of communication facility, terroristic threats, indecent assault, open lewdness and harassment.

According to McDonald, she learned prior to the hearing that Pulgar has convictions in Missouri, Washington and Illinois. He also has pending cases in Cambria and Westmoreland counties, she said.

In light of this information, McDonald asked District Judge Gary Havelka to increase the $100,000 bond that was placed on Pulgar upon his arrest. Havelka doubled the bond after ordering that Pulgar face trial on all the charges against him.

During the hearing, the girl, who is now 17, testified that she met Pulgar on an online dating site. He reportedly told her that he was 23, while she said she told him that she was 16, even though users have to be 18 to register for the site.

The two talked online in April, before the girl gave Pulgar her cell phone number and they began to text and call each other.

Pulgar then drove to the girl’s house, where he picked her up and they went to Greensburg to a mall and a restaurant. On the way home, the girl said they had consensual sex in his car.

The two continued to stay in touch and see each other. The girl never told her parents and would meet Pulgar away from her home. On one occasion, the girl said they drove to Pulgar’s home, where she met his parents and while staying overnight the two had sex.

After a few weeks, the girl said Pulgar became very possessive and threatened to harm her, her family and friends. Pulgar allegedly obtained the password to her Facebook account and sent her friends messages. Pulgar also threatened to post on Facebook photographs the girl had sent him of her naked or wearing only underwear. The girl testified she tried to end the relationship, but Pulgar wouldn’t let her. The two went to the ball field late one night in July because she wanted to talk with him about ending their relationship, and he reportedly raped her.

The girl’s parents contacted Roscoe-Elco-Stockdale-Allenport regional police after learning of the alleged assault.